Improvement in circular-knitting machines



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n. BICKFORD. CIRCULAR KNITTING-MACHINE. No. 174,763. Patented. March14,1876.

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D. BICKFORD. CIRCULAR KNITTING -MACHINE.

No.174=,763". Patented March 14, 1878.

I21 rm Z02" fl 4/ AQW I'LPEIERS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAPNER, WASHINGTON. D. C.

3Sheet-s-Sheet3. D. BICKFORD.

CIRCULAR KNITTING-MACHINE. Patented March 14,1876.

6%? Wig/M NJEI'ERS. PHOTO-LITHDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON D L UNITED STATESPATENT GFFIOE.

DAlNA BIOKFORD, OF. EW "YORK, .NQY,

IMPROVEMENT IN CIRCULAR-KNITTING MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 174,763., datedMarch'14,"1876; application filed May 24, 1 875. 7

To all whom it may concemr V Be it known that I, DANA BIoKFoRp, of thecity, county, and State of New York, have invented certain Improvementsin Knitting Machines; and 1 do hereby declare that the following, takenin connection with the drawings which accompany and form part of this ina needle-rest made separate or detached from its adjacent parts, and sothat the camcylinder or cam-plate, or the gear-ring, or ,both, can betaken off and put on at option without disturbing other parts; incombining the needle-rest, the cam-ring or plate, and the gear-ring, sothat one, two, or all of them may serve to actuate the yarn-carrier; inresting a detached needle-rest directly on the bed of the machine, orupon slides, screws, or equivalent bearing or supports on the cam-ringor needlecylinder in such a construction of the needlecylinder in parts,one above the other, and with open space between them, so that, ifdesired, needles can be put in or taken out without disturbing the claspthat holds them in place; in a removable bar or rod, or equivalentdevice,'for holding down the work While knitting a heel or toe of astocking, or similar work; in a scaled or index ring or segment forregistering the number of courses knitted, combined with mechihismforshifting ,itfor each course; in combining with the ringclasp which holdsthe needles in place a needle-cylinder constructed as hereinafterdescribed, and whereby the needles may be readily removed or insertedwithout the displacement of the clasp; in the arrangement of thecam-plate and needle-rest relatively to each other, so that one of themmay be shifted to or from the other, so as to overcome thedistancebetween the needle rest or guide and the cams in other'detailshereinafter stated, and the construction as a whole, whereby-the machineis rendered completely automatic in its action. 1

In the drawings,Figure 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying myimprove merits; Fig. 2, a modification of the'take-up; Fig. 3, asection, showingthe adjustable and removable hanger for thedriving-wheel, and also the balanced-wheel; Fig. 4, a section, showingthe detractable needle-rest, the gear-ring, thecam-plate, and thepivoted thread-carrier;

Fig. 5, a detail view of a device for adjusting the driving-wheel. Fig.6 shows a device for automatically operating the switches. Fig. 7 showsthe extra weight and the position of the crossbar andfabric whenknitting a heel or toe;vFig. 8, a section, showing the adjustabilityofthe upper part of the needle-cylinder, with theneedle-c'las'p below theopen space; and Fig. 9, a modification, showing the upper section of theupper cylinder projecting over a lower portion.

Ais the frame; B, the cam-cylinder C, the needlecylinder; D, theneedle-rest; E, the cam-plate; F, the scaled or registering ring; G, theyarn-carrier; H, the balanced drivingwheel. 1

The cam-cylinderl make in two or more parts, and the needle-rest D ismade separate and distinct therefrom, and is made to fit loosely insideof, the ca'm'plate or ring, and so that they may shift relatively toeach other,

and it rests on the gear-ring or driving part whenever it may beadvisable to leave the machine with work upon it, or to revolve itwithout making stitches.

The needle-rest D may rest directly on the bed of the machine, uponseparate bearings inside the cam-ring, or upon the needle-cylinder; andit may be so arranged that, as the machine is revolved in eitherdirection, the forward part-of the cams orswitches will strike againstthe needle-rest and carry it around, (if not otherwiseconnected,) sothat it will come in contact with the other side of the cams. Thisovercomes a serious objection to fixed or stationary camsamtneedle-rests, as it fills and overcomes the space existiiig betweenthe ends of the cams and the needlerest, and altogether dispenses withany need of devices for making the switches automatic.

The yarn-carrier may also be attached to the needle-rest, or arranged-insuch a manner as to be automatically changed by it; or it can beconnected with the gear-ring or cam-plate.

1 have shown it as centered on the cam-plate,

and arranged to be shifted as the cam-ring or restis shifted. Theseparts, being constructed substantially as shown, allow the cam cylinderto be taken entirely ofl, or raised out of action with the gear ordriving part, and yet to leave the needles and theneedle-restinposition; or the cam and gear part can all be taken ofl",leaving the other parts in position.

. K is a ring or'clasp,f0r'h01ding the needles to place. I V

The needle-cylinder or comb I make in two or more parts, such as areillustrated at lm in Fig. 1,-and connect them together, so as' to leavea separationor space between them.

The clasp-K may be placed either in the upper or lower part of thisseparation or space; or it may be placed in an ordinary groove at anypoint below such separation.

The part I may he vertically adjustable relatively to the part m byhaving its connectingpiece (a simpleform of which is shown at a) movablein dovetails or otherwise, and held by adjusting-screws. This permits alengthenin g or shortening of the stitches.

The space between 1 and m facilitates the insertion and removal of theneedles, and does not require the removal or loosening of thering-clasp; and another advantage due to making the part I separate isthat it may bemade of harder metal or steel than the lower parts of thecylinder require, thus eeonomizing the cost of making and grooving theneedle-cylinder, and also afi'ording facility of substituting one part lfor another, and permitting the casting in molds of the grooved parts.

The driving-wheel I make-larger than usual, in order to secure morespeed of the machine for the same number of the revolutions of thewheel. I also, whenever found desirable, make the wheel and handle tobalance, weighting the wheel on theside opposite its handle, orotherwise, so as to equalize and balance the handle, thus allowing thewheel, when the machine is stopped, to remain in the position in whichit is left, instead of making a partial revolution or falling back, asheretofore. This prevents an y; bad .results due to falling back ormoving forward beyond the precise point where the operator finds itnecessary to stop the work. A weight on the wheel for suchpurposeisshown at 0 in Fig. 3.

The bearings or support for the hanger which sustain the wheel Isometimes make adjustable, as shown at p p in Fig. 3. This not onlypermits the wheel to be readily put into or out of engagement with theother driving parts of the machine; but it also allows. the readyremovalof the hanger, bearing, and wheel, for packing and transportation orother purposes. These parts may be held to any adjusted position by anyappropriate device. By way of illustration, I have shown thumbscrewsqrq, put in in such a way as to bear against that part of the hangerwhich is to be connected to the machine. 1

In Fig. 5, 1 have shown also anadjusting device, whereby the wheel maybe adjusted in the hanger without adjusting the hanger, r in thisfigure. indicating a portion of the hanger.

The bearing for the wheel may be placed on either side of the wheel, aspreferred.

The take-up device and yarn-guide are shown I in Fig. 1.

The arm's extends over the center of the and its free end, having an eyefor the yarn, is V then bent upward, substantially as shown. The arm 8has appropriate open slots to, into and out of which the yarn may beslipped;

and it has a peculiar eye.-u, with two lapping parts, which, whilepermitting the ready iTl-' 'sertion of the yarn, prevent its slippingout when the machine is in rapid motion. When the take-up is in use theyarn takes the route shown in the drawing, and the double or bend itpresses the yarn upon this arm until the pull of the yarn rocks thespring on its curve t{, and lifts the bend t to release the yarn at thatpoint, as seen in dotted lines in Fig. 2. 1

In this described construction of the spring take-up, its'back portionactsas' a check to prevent the yarnbeing drawn from the spool instead offrom the yarn-carrier, when the spring'reacts.

In Fig. 2 is shown a modification of this take-up, the spring in thiscase being coiled at one part, as seen at o, and-having a lateral bendor projection at w, for the purpose of causing the hacker doubled end tobe lifted to the position shown in dotted lines, when the spring hasbeen pulled down enough to bear on such projection.

The-devices t'orregistermg the number of courses is shown in Fig. 1. TheringF is provided with a scale and notched. It may beeither an entirering or a portion or segment of a ring. The notches may be of anyappro-- priate size or form, (two different sizes being shown by way ofillustration,) adapted to receive a spring tooth or detent, m, which,in.every revolution of the machine, will come in contact with a pin, 3 onthe frame, and thus be forced into the notch next adjacent to the one inwhich it previously lodged. 1 The scale or index thus, at any stage,indicates the number-of courses knitted. The pin may be shifted to anyof the holes 2, as desired. Theregistering of the number of courses alsogives the number of stitches, as each full course has a defined numberof stitches, corresponding with the number of needles employed in thecylinder. The ring F is held down by a friction spring or springs, f.

The bobbin-winder and its stand or support are shown in Fig. 1. Itconsists of a spindle to receive the bobbin, mounted in a bearing in ahanger or bracket, removably secured to the machine in any appropriatemanner, the spindle having a friction-wheel, 2, which may brought atwill into or out of contact with the driving-wheel H, or it may be solocated as to be driven by any other running part of the machine.

The adjustment of the driving-wheel admits of the latter being used toactuate. the winder, while disengaged from the gear-ring. Under suchadjustment the winder only may be driven, while the machine proper isatrest.

The removability of the winding device from the machine allows ofgreater com pact ness in packing machines for the market, and theoperator can put it on or off at option in a moment; and the device alsois less expensive than the separate winding-machines.

For holding down the work when knitting a heel or toe of a stocking, orsimilar work, I

employ a simple rod or bar, 3, (see Fig. 1,)

lodged loosely and removably in notches 4 made in the inside of theneedle-ring, and the A main body of the knitted goods being held down bythe customary weights. After the leg of a stocking or sock, &c., hasbeen made, this bar is put in place, as shown, and under the knittedfabric, and the buckle and weight are then drawn up close to themachine, and an extra weight, as shown at 5 in Fig. 7,is then laid intothat part of the knitted goods which hangs on the other side of the bar3, and this weight will then run down with and carry the work beingknitted, as the machine is being run backward and forward. This bar is amost important improvement and aids in knitting the heel or toe of astocking, or other goods of that shape.

Instead of the extra weight, the hand may be used in connection with thebar to hold the work down, or both, if required.

The upper part or sectionl of the needlecylinder may have its outercircumference larger than that of the lower part 121., (see Fig. 9,) soas 'toproject beyond it, and thus serve to hold down the cam-ringtoplace. This construction is shown in Fig. 9. Or the ring it for holdingthe needles to place may be attached to the lower or under section ofthe needle-cylinder, as shown in Fig.8, and in such case this needlering or clasp can also admit of the needles being put in or taken outwithout the needof opening or removing the clasp. The clasp may remainfixed in position, and the needle-cylinder may be unclamped or unscrewedat the bottom, when it is necessary'to take the machine to piecesthesaid yarn-carrier is automatically operated and brought into properrelative position to deliver the yarn to the needles upon the rotationof the machine in either direction, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

.2. Theneedle-cylinder 0, formed of the two grooved parts lm,constructed substantially as described, whereby the needles may beinserted or removed without the necessity of disturbing the clasp.

3. Thecombination,with theneedle-cylinder, having notches 4, of the baror rod for holdin g down the work, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with the scaled'or ind'exed ring or segment, of thepin 3 springtooth x, and friction spring or springs f.

. 5. The-cam-carrying plate and needle-rest, constructed and combined asdescribed, so that one of them may be shifted upon the other, toovercome the distance between the needle rest or guide and the cams,substantially as shown and described.

6. A yarn-stand, constructed substantially as shown and described, incombination with the take-up wire, the yarn-carrier, and spoolstand, allconstructed and arranged to operatesubstantially' as described.

7. In combination with the cam-ring B, and the cams or switches 6 6connected thereto, the detachable and movable needle-rest D, arranged asdescribed, whereby all the needles are automatically operated inknitting a heel,

toe, or flat web, with all needles in place, sub-. tantially asdescribed.

DANA BIOKFORD. Witnesses:

WILLIAM FrroH, GEo. T. SMALLwooD, Jr.

